Device for mounting elements in sheet form

ABSTRACT

A device for mounting plate-like elements, such as glass plates, that form an object, for example shelves, when several are mounted together, and that are at first temporarily held by the mounting device and then fixed, for example, glued to each other, includes a suction line for generating a vacuum, the suction line being fastened to the elements, and components, for example, bars, that can be removably linked to each other and upon which the suction line can be removably fastened. The suction line can be coupled to flexible tubes which are coupled to a suction chamber and a suction pump. A manually-operated check valve is provided in the suction line connecting a suction region to the flexible tube. A small fixed gap, approximately 0.3 mm, is provided between the suction area and the surface of one of the plate-like elements, so that the suction holding force acts quickly when the check valve is opened. The suction regions defined by the suction line are coupled to the flexible tube by a small bore defining a diameter of approximately 1 mm such that any pressure increase in the suction region of the suction line does not affect the remaining portions of the suction system, or affects them only very slowly. The device of the present invention can be assembled in a quick, simple and precise manner.

The invention relates to a device for mounting elements in sheet form,such as glass sheets, a plurality of which form an object, for example ashelf unit, and which are first temporarily held by the mounting deviceand then permanently joined together, for example by adhesive bonding,said device consisting of suction feet which are detachably fastenableto the elements by the creation of a vacuum, and of components, forexample bars, which can be detachably joined together and to which thesuction feet can be detachably fastened.

In a known device of this kind (DBGM 77 23 048) at each suction footthere is provided a tightening lever which can be turned over by handand thus produces a vacuum under the suction foot. The distance betweena surface of the element and the facing surface of the suction foot isvariable and amounts to a few millimeters when the suction foot is inthe holding position. The temporary mounting of an object by means ofthis device entails problems. Turning the tightening lever demands theapplication of a not inconsiderable force. This has a particularlydetrimental effect in the case of objects, for example of glass, themounting of which requires sensitive handling.

The problem underlying the invention is that of so constructing thedevice mentioned in the preamble that the temporary mounting is simplerand easier, that is particularly it is possible with less exertion offorce.

According to the invention this problem is solved in that the suctionfeet can be connected by hoses to a vacuum tank connected to a vacuumpump, in that in each of the lines between the suction regions of thesuction feet and the vacuum tank a shutoff valve which can be operatedby hand and has an easy action is located, in that the suction regionsof the suction feet are arranged with a very short fixed distance,particularly of about 0.3 mm, between the surface of the element and thefacing surface of the suction foot, in such a manner that after theshutoff valve has been opened the holding force of the vacuum can actvery quickly, and in that the suction regions of the suction feet areeach connected via a very small bore, particularly one having a diameterof about 1 mm, to a hose in such a manner that any pressure increase ina suction region of a suction foot can affect the remainder of thevacuum system only very slowly or practically not at all.

With a device of this kind an object can be temporarily assembled simplyand easily. This is primarily due to the fact that the turning of thetightening lever, which requires force in the known device, iseliminated.

The very short distance between the .elements and the facing surfaces ofthe suction foot, resulting in very rapid action of the vacuum after theshutoff valve has been opened, provides the advantage that thetemporarily assembled object has great rigidity. The very small bore hasthe consequence that any leakage in a suction region of a suction footwill not give rise to the disconnection of the elements alreadyassembled.

A further development of the invention consists in that the wall regionof a suction foot facing the element is inelastic and that a sealingstrip lying against the element is situated in the edge of the suctionfoot. The elements are thus seated substantially immovably on thesuction feet, thus further increasing the rigidity of the temporarilyassembled object.

In addition, it is proposed that the shutoff valve should be disposed onthe suction foot. Handling is particularly simple as a result.

It is then proposed that the shutoff valve should have a reciprocatinglyslidable sleeve which surrounds the line and by which the passage of airis blocked in one position and freed in the other position. Thisconfiguration of the shutoff valve results in a further simplificationin respect of handling.

A further development of the invention then consists in that on its sideremote from the suction region the suction foot has a pin whichpreferably projects at right angles and by means of which the suctionfoot can be connected to the components. This configuration permitssimple fastening of the suction foot to the components, that is to sayto the structure formed by the components, for example by fastening thesuction foot by means of a clamp element to a component, for example abar.

It is in addition proposed that a suction foot should have a firstsuction region preferably in the form of a single circular region for aflat surface of the element. This would be the simplest form of asuction foot.

It is then proposed that a second suction region of the same kind shouldbe disposed preferably at right angles to the first suction region. Thiswould be a further development of the suction foot previously defined,thus preferably permitting the joining of two elements, particularlywhen they are to be disposed at right angles to one another.

In addition it is proposed that the two suction regions should be formedby an angle section and be joined together preferably by a fixed bowspanning the angle of 90°. This bow facilitates the handling of the partwhich is provided with the two suction regions.

It is expedient for the two suction regions to be in the form of platesjoined together by means of arms which are pivotally and fastenablyjoined together. In this way it is possible to adjust any desired anglesbetween the suction regions.

Furthermore, it is proposed that a third suction region of the same kindshould be disposed preferably at right angles to the other two. Thisconfiguration makes it possible to join together three plates, disposedin each case at an angle to one another.

It is then expedient that the vacuum tank and the pump form a portableunit. The handling of these two parts is thus particularly simple.

It is further proposed that an assembly table should be provided, thebeams of which, in particular the horizontal beams, are provided with afirst connection leading to the vacuum tank, and with second connectionsto which the hoses can be connected. This table permits easy and simpleassembly of any object.

It is then proposed that pneumatic quick-acting closures should beprovided at the ends of the hoses remote from the suction feet. Thismeasure likewise facilitates the handling of the whole arrangement.

Finally, it is proposed that a sealing ring for a suction region shouldhave a coefficient of friction slightly higher than or equal to 0.3 inrelation to glass, plastic material and the like. It is thereby ensuredthat the slipping of the suction feet relative to the elements will belargely avoided.

Further details of the invention can be seen from the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of one embodiment of theinvention, and

FIG. 2 is a section on the line II--II in FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 the reference 1 designates two glass sheets and 2designates a mounting device according to the invention, which holdstogether the two glass sheets. The mounting device 2 consists of twoplates 3, which are arranged at right angles to one another and whichform suction regions. These suction regions have a circular shape 4 (seeFIG. 2). They are surrounded by a sealing ring 5 lying in a groove. Saidring has a relatively high coefficient of friction in relation to glassand the like, so that transverse displacements are avoided. A suctionregion 4 is connected by means of a connection 6 to a hose 7 which leadsto a vacuum tank. A shutoff valve 8 in the form of a reciprocatinglyslidable sleeve is disposed in the connections 6: when the sleeve is inone of its positions, the passage of air is blocked; in the otherposition the passage is freed. 9 designates an opening forming theconnection between the part 6 and the suction region 4. This opening isvery small. An increased pressure in the suction region can consequentlyact only very slowly on the remainder of the system. The suction region4 is very narrow, with the consequence that after the mounting devicehas been placed against the glass sheet, and after the connection hasbeen opened so that the vacuum can act, the mounting device is veryquickly seated firmly on the sheet. Furthermore, as a result nonoteworthy spring action occurs and tilting and the like between thesuction foot and the element in sheet form is avoided. The two plates 3are connected together by a bow 10 which facilitates the handling of themounting device.

It is naturally also possible to provide only a single component onwhich everything else is fastened.

We claim:
 1. In a device of the type for mounting elements in sheetform, a plurality of said elements forming an object, said elementsbeing initially temporarily held together by the device and thereafterpermanently joined together, said device comprising suction feet formedfrom a plurality of components removably attached together and providedfor holding said elements together by the creation of a vacuum, theimprovement comprising the suction feet each being connected by aseparate connecting line (6) to a hose (7), said hose being Coupled to avacuum tank connected to a vacuum pump; wherein each of said connectinglines (6) is removably coupled at one end thereof to a suction region(4) defined on a different one of said plurality of said components ofsaid suction feet; a manually operated shutoff valve (8) in each of saidconnecting lines between said suction region (4) of each of saidplurality of components and said hose; wherein the suction region (4) ofeach component is spaced a distance which does not substantially exceed0.3 mm from the surface of an element (1) facing said component fordefining a vacuum region therebetween, and wherein the suction region(4) of each of said plurality of components is connected via a bore (9)defined in said connecting line (6) coupled to said component, said borehaving a diameter not substantially exceeding 1 mm, said connecting line(6) being coupled by said bore defined therein to one end of said hose(7) and to said vacuum tank coupled to another end of said hose (7). 2.A mounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said component of saidsuction foot facing a corresponding one of said elements (1) isinelastic, and wherein a sealing strip lying against the element (1) issituated in the edge of the suction foot.
 3. A mounting device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the shutoff valve (8) is disposed on thesuction foot.
 4. A mounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidsuction region (4) defined on at least one of said suction feet includesa first suction region in the form of a single circular configurationfor a flat surface of one of said elements (1).
 5. A mounting device asclaimed in claim 4, wherein a second suction region of the same kind assaid first suction region which is disposed at a substantially rightangle to the first suction region.
 6. A mounting device as claimed inclaim 5, wherein said first and second suction regions are formed by anangle section and are joined together by a fixed bow (10) spanning anangle of 90°.
 7. A mounting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidfirst and second suction regions are formed on plates, and said deviceincludes means for pivotably connecting said plates together.
 8. Amounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum tank and thepump form a portable unit.
 9. A mounting device as claimed in claim 1,wherein a sealing ring (5) for a suction region has a coefficient offriction of about >0.3 in relation to glass, plastic material and thelike.
 10. A mounting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shutoffvalve (8) is disposed on the suction foot.
 11. A mounting device asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said spacing between said component of saidsuction foot and said element in sheet form is substantially 0.3 mm. 12.A mounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said diameter of saidbore (9) is substantially 1 mm.
 13. A mounting device as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said elements in sheet form include glass sheets.
 14. Amounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said object formed fromsaid elements includes shelf means.